Maidstone powerboat racer Ben Jelf is still European champion after successfully defending his UIM GT15 crown in Estonia last weekend.

The 12-year-old won two of his four heats at the championship in Tallinn to finish ahead of challengers from Estonia, Latvia and Russia.

Jelf (pictured above), the youngest ever British world powerboat champion, won this event last year. Knowing his best three results would be carried forward, Jelf finished fifth in the first heat, which was won by Estonia’s Sken Heidemann.

Undeterred, Jelf drove the best race of his career to win the second heat and finish day one of the championships on a high note.

He started heat three on pole and led for three laps, before surrendering the lead to another Estonian, Paul Zujenkov. Jelf eventually finished third behind Reio Käsnapuu, leaving the event finely poised heading into the final heat.

Jelf took the lead early and never relinquished it. He held off the challenge of Zujenkov and crossed the line first to clinch the UIM GT15 European Championship for a second year running.

He said: "There was some strong competition out there and I just raced the best I could. The support from my family, friends and sponsors has helped me get here and it wouldn’t have been possible without them. It’s been a real team effort."

Jelf now heads to Osthammar, Sweden, where he will compete to retain his GT15 World Championship title.